NEW LONDON, Conn. – Adm. Thad W. Allen has been named the next James S. Tyler Distinguished Chair in Leadership Development at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Allen, who retired in 2010 as the 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard, is probably best known for his performance directing the federal response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for his work as National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In 2005, he was selected by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 20 best leaders for its America’s Best Leaders issue.

“I am delighted with the opportunity the Tyler Chair provides to develop cadet leaders who will be equipped to serve our nation as we face the challenges of an ever-changing world,” said Allen. “I look forward to joining the Academy team and interacting with the cadets, faculty and staff to take the leadership development program to the next level.”

The Tyler Chair is part of the Academy’s Institute for Leadership, which facilitates leadership development across all programs at the Academy. As the Tyler Chair, Allen will deliver an annual address to the Academy community and speak to each year’s incoming class of cadets. Other contributions could include classroom instruction and coordinating opportunities to lead in emerging areas of national interest, such as the Arctic and cyber security.

“I am thrilled that Admiral Allen has accepted the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association’s offer to serve as our next Tyler Chair in Leadership Development,” said Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz, Academy Superintendent. “Admiral Allen is a nationally prominent leader of impeccable character who is the ideal choice to help develop our cadets and move our Academy forward.”

Allen is expected to begin his duties as Tyler Chair later this year. He will relieve Adm. James Loy, who has held the Chair since 2005.

“The financial and concept investments of Dr. Jim Tyler and the consistent support of recent Superintendents have provided the opportunity to add both content and process improvements to an already outstanding leadership development program,” said Loy. “To add Adm. Thad Allen to the extraordinary mix of Academy faculty and Institute for Leadership staff dedicated to producing the Leaders of Character so necessary to leading today’s Coast Guard, gives me every confidence that this program will stay on the leading edge of any such program in the nation.”

The concept for the position originated in 2003, when Dr. James S. Tyler learned of the Academy’s desire to establish an endowed chair in leadership to develop strong military leaders. Tyler subsequently announced his intention to provide a gift to endow a chair in leadership.

“The goal for the Leadership Chair was to bring back to the Academy a well-recognized and distinguished Coast Guard leader as an inspiration and role model for the cadets and the cornerstone for the Institute for Leadership,” said Tyler. “Adm. Loy has done a tremendous job of building the IFL and positioning the Academy as one of the best institutions for leadership development in the country. It has been an honor to have worked with him and I look forward to continuing this great tradition with someone as well qualified and respected as Adm. Allen.”